A recent law passed by the U.S. Congress may put some Iowa State students in hot water at home.

The law, which passed in late September and is effective immediately, will allow universities to notify the parents of a student who is under 21 and is in violation of a law regarding alcohol or controlled substances.

Paul Tanaka, director of University Legal Services, said this provision is a small part of the new law.

“This is a part of a big higher education amendment,” he said. “It is a very small piece of a large piece of legislation.”

This law is part of the General Education Provisions Act.

According to Section 444 of the General Education Provisions Act, “… nothing in this act or the Higher Education Act of 1965 shall be construed to prohibit an institution of higher education from disclosing, to a parent or legal guardian of a student, information regarding any violation … governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance.”

Tanaka said the legislation is “still pretty new.”

“Essentially, what the law says is that it is not a violation of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act if the university notifies parents about a student’s violation of alcohol and drug laws,” Tanaka said.

“This provides for an exception, even if the students are independent,” he said.

Thomas Hill, vice president for Student Affairs, said the new law will affect how ISU deals with students’ underage drinking.

“In the Student Conduct Code, it states that any violation of a local, state or federal law subjects the students to disciplinary action,” Hill said.

Brent Marnin, senior in elementary education, said if a student is older than 18, he does not think it is a good idea for the university to notify parents.

“Sure, you’re not 21, but you’re an adult,” Marnin said. “It shouldn’t be up to someone else to tell your parents about it.”

Marnin said notifying a student’s parents is a violation of the student’s privacy.

“That’s your personal life,” he said. “If we don’t want our parents to know, then they shouldn’t know.”

Holly Elbert, junior in mechanical engineering, is under 21 years old, and she also feels the law is an invasion of privacy.

“You are the ones who should deal with your parents,” Elbert said.

Kristin Jenkins, freshman in history, agreed the law is not an appropriate measure for adults.

“I think if we are living on our own, we don’t need them calling mommy,” she said.

Tanaka said he is unsure how this new law will affect ISU students.

“I think we’re going to have to take a look at it, and Iowa State will have to make some decisions about how it will react to the new law,” Tanaka said.

Tanaka stressed that the law does not mean the university has to inform parents — the university has the option to notify them if it sees fit.

Hill agreed that this law will not affect all students who violate alcohol and controlled substance laws.

“It’s going to affect those underage drinkers who are violators,” he said. “This doesn’t mean that everyone will have a letter sent home, [but] we will deal with them, bottom line.”